ROME - Jamming devices to halt communication were installed at the
Vatican on Monday, as part of a security lockdown ahead of the papal
conclave.

The behind-the-scenes ballot process is supposed to
remain a secret, but modern technology left Roman Catholic Church
officials taking no chances.

Staff working alongside the cardinals voting inside the Sistine Chapel must swear an oath of secrecy.

"I expect they'll be on a total lockdown," NBC News' Vatican analyst George Weigel said. "Security is tight. It's got to be."

Jamming
devices will be used at the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican and the
nearby guest residences at Santa Marta where cardinals will sleep during
the conclave, officials told reporters on Friday.

The move will ensure cardinals cannot communicate with the outside
world or use social media. It will also prevent hidden microphones from
picking up the discussions.

Any cardinals or Vatican workers –-
such as those serving food in Santa Marta – breaching the code face
excommunication from the church.

"Even who said, ‘pass the salt' is a secret," wrote Sister Mary Ann
Walsh, media relations director for the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops in a blog post. "In this electronic age, I worry some
cardinals may go into iPad and Twitter withdrawal."

To
prevent any contact with the outside world, cardinals will also be
taken the 750 yards from Santa Marta to the Sistine Chapel by bus.

"The
Vatican highly prizes the traditional Conclave secrecy -- even more so
after the leaks scandal that have plagued it in the past months," said
Alessandro Speciale, Vatican correspondent for Religion News Service.
"Most of the jamming measures were already in use in 2005, but of
course, back then there were no smartphones and iPads. While cardinals
will probably take their commitment to secrecy seriously, some of them
are avid [Tweeters] and bloggers, and they might risk going into
internet withdrawal if the conclave drags on too long."

Weigel added: "It would be difficult for anyone to use a cellphone, even
out of sight. With 115 cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, space is tight
and it would be obvious if anyone was checking their phone."